Smith & Wesson Big Game Dinner Benefits USO

Smith & Wesson sold out its inventory. No, not guns: We’re talking food here, specifically game dishes. The company’s 2014 Big Game Dinner drew more than 500 guests with dishes like carved elk roasts, wild boar sweet sausages and Cajun-style catfish. The dinner was a sell-out, as it has been for several years now.

Moved by the tasty morsels and a call to action, Smith & Wesson employees and dinner volunteers and attendees donated $35,000 at the event, which will be given to two deserving institutions in the region where Smith & Wesson does business: the Pioneer Valley United Services Organization (USO) and the Chicopee Comprehensive High School. Members of the U.S. armed forces and their families will benefit from $25,000 donated to USO social, recreational, educational and entertainment programs and services. A $10,000 donation to the Chicopee school will be used to support its culinary scholarship.

Meals were prepared with 1,900 pounds of wild game meat donated specifically for the event. The kitchen was led by chef Norm Boucher from the Chicopee Comprehensive High School culinary department. Besides Norm, 65 other volunteers logged more than 560 hours over three days to make the event a success.

“Each year the Smith & Wesson staff, along with the talented chefs from the Chicopee Comprehensive High School, continue to amaze and delight attendees with what is truly a rare dining experience,” said Smith & Wesson President and CEO James Debney. “This event is a success each year, thanks to the dedication of many volunteers and generous contributions from our co-sponsors, vendors and sportsmen.”

Sounds like Smith & Wesson has a thing going on. I know, I know, they’re not the only ones doing this kind of thing across the country. But ya gotta admit anybody who can bring to bear the size and prowess of a company like Smith & Wesson is capable of great things, like helping our troops via the USO.